Wessex Male Choir
Wessex Male Choir is a male voice choir based in Swindon, Wiltshire, England.
The choir was formed in September 2001 by Robert Elliott, who remained as its Musical Director until December 2013. Subsequent musical directors were Katrine Reimers (January 2014 - July 2016) and Rhiannon Williams-Hale (July 2016 to present).
The choir takes its name from the ancient kingdom of Wessex. This is reflected in the choir logo which features the wyvern or dragon used in the flag of Wessex.
Wessex Male Choir has performed in Wales, Italy, Jersey, Ireland and Spain, in addition to regular appearances in England. The choir has also performed before stadium crowds of over 80,000 at sporting events at Wembley Stadium and Twickenham in London. [1]
The choir has supported numerous charities; members entered the 2007 London Marathon to raise funds for the Parkinsons Disease Society, singing their way along the route. [2]
Wessex Male Choir has a strong record in choral competitions. They were awarded first place in the Male Choir competition at the 2011 Llangollen International Eisteddfod. They also won the Gold Cup for the outstanding choir at the Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts in 2008, 2013 and 2016, and won the male choir category at the International Choir Festival of Jersey 2008. They won best Male Choir and best Ensemble at the Mid Somerset Music Festival at Bath in 2010 and Best Male Choir in 2013 and 2016.
The choir has released three CD recordings. [3]
Discography
- Men in Black (2005)
- Shades of Wessex (2008)
- It's Christmas (2011)